The digital age is marked with the introduction of computers and related technologies to

allow users to easily and rapidly transfer information (Statti & Torres, 2020). It is basic
knowledge that computers are electronic devices that accepts information, processes it,
then outputs required information. (Sharma, 2021). Specifically, it is a machine that stores
and manipulates information under the control of a changeable program (Zelle, 2009). This
definition provides the criteria for a machine to be deemed a computer.
These changeable programs form the basis of what actions computers can perform. A
program is a step-by-step list of instructions that tell the computer hardware what to do. In
saying this, computers have two important components - hardware and software
components. Hardware includes all physical components for a computer, for example
mouse, screen, CPU etc. Software is basically anything that tells the hardware what to do
and how to do it, this includes programs and applications. These two components work
together for a computer to function.
A simple computer hardware setup will have devices that input, process, and output data.
Input devices allow the user to input information into the computer such as mouse,
keyboard etc. The Central Processing Unit also known as the brain of the computer perform
all basic operations for the computer, that is, it processes the information. The main
memory will store programs and data – where the CPU can access information stored on the
main memory and executes the instructions. This process followed by the CPU is known as
the fetch-execute cycle, and this cycle runs at an extremely high speed, giving computers
their ability to process information at a high rate (Zelle, 2009). Output devices such as
screens and printers display the required information.
The functions that the hardware performs are not possible without software programs, that
is, if we change the program the computer will perform a different set of actions. Software
encompasses application, system and programming software. Application software
performs tasks for the user, for example, MS Office and system software provides the
platform for applications to run on top of it for example, Microsoft Vista. On the other hand,
programming software are the tools required by software developers to create other
software also known as programming. (Rosencrance, 2021). Computers will continue to
evolve, physical appearance and the functions it can perform will change but the
fundamentals will remain the same (Bradlow, 1981).

Bibliography
Bradlow, H. (1981). Book Review: Digital Computer Fundamentals, Digital Computer Electronics.
International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Education, 55 - 56.

Rosencrance, L. (2021, March ). Software. Retrieved from Tech Target:

https://www.techtarget.com/searchapparchitecture/definition/software#:~:text=Software
%20is%20a%20set%20of,that%20run%20on%20a%20device.

Sharma, A. (2021, June 14). Computer Fundamentals, Basica and More. Retrieved from Test Book :
https://testbook.com/learn/computer-fundamentals/

Statti, A., & Torres, K. (2020). Multiple Intelligence Theory in the Digital Age of Learning. Examining
Multiple Intelligences and Digital Technologies for Enhanced Learning Opportunities, 18.

Zelle, J. (2009). Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science (2 ed.). Oregon: Franklin,
Beedle & Associates Inc.